To his great annoyance, Logan was still beaten by Wally, even without his speed. Turned out being a superhero gave you a lot of endurance.

Only problem was how often he had to snack to keep from getting light headed.

When they rejoined the others at the end of the day, it was at a rest stop you could camp at.

"What happened to the hotel?" Wally asked.

"Storm thought it would be more natural to camp," Shine said.

"And we might have forgotten to look for one," Rogue added sheepishly.

"How do ya forget somethin' like that?" Logan said.

"I'm honestly so tired from all that riding, I don't care as long as I can lie down." Shine shrugged.

"It's not so bad," Wally said. "With the ninja, we were camping every night, and those kids didn't even use blankets half the time. And we'd get attacked by robbers every now and then."

"I get it, this is better." Shine rolled her eyes. "I'm not really a dirt and bugs kind of girl."

"Me neither, Sugar, but this ain't so bad," Rogue said. "I mean, we got a great view from here, and hardly anyone else is 'round."

"Yeah...which is a little odd in summer," Shine said.

"Ah, well...it might have something to do with a ranger telling them the area was off limits..." Morph said. "You know...so no one would notice us."

Shine gave him a look.

"Well, it's too late to do anything about it now." Wally patted her shoulder. "Might as well enjoy it. Look at all those stars."

"Didn't peg you for the stargazin' type," Logan said.

"Not usually, but you know, you gotta appreciate being away from the light pollution once in a while," Wally said. 

"We lit a camp fire," Storm said. "Really, it's not so bad. I've slept in worst places."

"What was it like growing up in Cairo?" Shine asked. "I've never been there."

"I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask," Storm said. "The side of it I saw was not at its best." She frowned.

"Hmm." Rogue decided to change the subject. "Miss Shine, why don't you tell us about those ninja y'all keep bringin' up?"

"Oh, you wouldn't want to hear about that," Shine dismissed it.

"Why not?" Gambit, who was still sore and not in the best mood said a bit irritably. "You got something to hide?"

"No," Shine said. "But why would you care? It's another world, another culture--surely only geeks like us care about that."

"Hey, I'm not a geek!" Wally was eating an energy bar. "Speak for yourself there, woman."

"Says the guy who can quote like a 100 movies," Shine said. "That makes you a geek."

"Nah, makes me cultured. Being able to quote 100 books makes you a geek."

"Whatever." Shine dismissed it.

"But really, it sounds interesting," Rogue said. "Like a fairy tale. Just tell us."

"Yeah, tell us," Morph echoed.

"I'd like to hear this," Storm said.

Shine shrugged. "Well...all right, over dinner...which is going to be interesting..."

Well, they managed with trail food and some marshmellows that Rogue had thought to bring.

"Takes me back to the good ol' days of campin'," she said. "Before..." She stopped.

"My school went camping once," Morph said. "Got chased by a bear."

"Was that bear you?" Logan asked.

"Uh...well...it might have been kind of me," Morph said. "Sort of a misunderstanding..."

"All right, start the story," Rogue said to Shine once they were settled.

"Where to even begin...?" Shine mused.

"Begin at the beginning." Wally leaned on her knee, like he didn't intend to participate in this.

Shine looked up at the stars. "Well, the very beginning...I got our little group together of students I was taking with me, and we went through our doorway. Of course, I wasn't happy when I saw we landed smack dab in the middle of a desert, because I hate sand, I hate deserts, and I really hate both at the same time. And it was hot. But we perked up a bit when we met our guide for that mission, Temari. Great girl, a little rough around the edges. Maybe that's just her giant, metal-edged fan though..."

She went on, each person she described more unreal than the last. And each location.

"Hold up," Gambit interrupted. "You expect us to believe dis fellow could control sand because of some demon? But it was a raccoon?"

"Is this that different from some of your backstories?" Shine said.

"Not really," Storm said. "I am only surprised it has nothing to do with mutation, you say."

"Nope, they used something called jutsu. With soul energy," Shine said. "Every world has its own form of power, none that are worse than others that I can see, just some take freakish forms and some don't, but this Gaara's problem wasn't his own energy, it was this other thing, and he wanted to find some way to understand love.... Really, that was his whole goal in life. But he was a smart kid, because love is just what those people didn't have--it was of no importance whatsoever. They are literally raised to believe that if your village elder asks you, you should off your own family, your own friends, all in the name of the greater good."

"No." Rogue was shocked.

"How could anyone teach such evil?" Storm said.

"You would be surprised what you will accept as normal if you hear it all your life," Shine said. "And it disgusted us, but we realize we couldn't just judge them based on that, because within that, a lot of them were really having second thoughts. Gaara was one of the first to make changes. I've rarely been so impressed by a student who knew almost nothing when he started. But before anything really could get going, there was this war, and that was where Sasuke came back in too."

"I was hopin' you'd seen the last of 'im," Logan said. "What a twerp."

"Try not to judge him so hard," Shine said. "You have no idea the kind of trauma and mental tricks his brother put him through. It would have destroyed the sanity of a weaker person entirely. It came awful close with him, but it came to a head in the war..."

She went on.

Wally interrupted a few times to make comments, but mostly he just listened.

Shine was pretty good at story telling; she wasn't particularly organized, but she was energetic, and they all found themselves caught up in it pretty soon.

Even Gambit, against his will.

Of course the part about the demon plant had them all shaking their heads.

"And here I thought that was a Sinister thing," Rogue said.

"You'd think so, huh?" Shine said. "I just don't get it.... Anyway, so the best part is, it got blown up..."

[I changed this from the show's version, of course. Liked mine better.]

After this, Shine got to the part where they'd all gone on a 6-month long peace mission, which she described in her words as "the most frustrating, exhausting, challenging, and ultimately exhilarating time of my life, at least as a teacher.... I mean...it was insane, but we were seeing change. They were getting it. Minds were opened. People were starting to forgive each other.... We burned down a few lairs.... Wait...counting Sinister...how many are we up to now?"

"I lost control, but it must be 5 or 6," Wally said.

"Do we have some kind of arson jinx?" Shine said.

"Well, considering the amount of people we know who use fire...maybe?" Wally said.

Shine snorted. "Well, anyway...oh, right, so then we were back on the road. Oh, you'll love this--there was this flood, and we just barely survived it, and then I accidentally ended up bringing this thing to life.... I've read story of something like it since, but it scared the crap out of me."

"You brought something to life?" Storm said.

"By accident," Shine emphasized. "A bird.... Anyway...so yeah, but she came in handy a lot, so it worked out. Then we went on to the last village, and it was crazy--we put on a concert and told off the leaders and lived in the same house for, like, 3 months straight. With...you know, about 20 people, most of them teenagers, which as only the 2nd time in my life doing that...and the ninja were definitely the harder bunch out of that."

"What would you expect?" Wally gestured upward. "The hero kids were taught to help people and be model students, the ninja kids were taught to kill and use power to push others around. I'm surprised they didn't break anything while we were there."

"Ah, by then we were mostly a unit," Shine said, "except the newbies. But that is where we met my friend Mabui, who ended up being also like us, in a way. Which is its own long story..."

She finally ended on the high note of the mission being mostly a success.

"Wow..." Morph said.

"That was quite a tale," Storm said.

"So what happened to them after you left?" Rogue asked.

Shine thought. "I know a lot of them went on to pursue different careers. Some of them got married. We've been to their weddings. They came to ours too. It was great.... And few are just doing what they did before but doing it better. Gaara has had great success. But then, Gaara could do anything if he put his mind to it. Things are changing, slowly but surely. We'll probably go back there before too long. Some of them are expecting kids now." She smiled. "Of course we have to go say hi for that, as their adopted godparents and all that."

"That was so cute," Wally said. "I mean, it was cheesy, but cute. Like how they kept calling you mom."

"I know." Shine put a hand to her heart. "I wanted to melt every time. But I really did feel like...I mean, I acted like one...the breaking up fights, the late night tear fests, the advice. I don't see how real parenting could have been any harder than that."

"Me neither." Wally shrugged. "I still remember trying to explain certain things to Sai."

[It was a hilarious part of that other story, if you happen to read it.]

Shine laughed, as this was clearly some kind of inside joke.

"Nice story," Gambit said. "Half of it probably ain't true, but still."

"Gambit!" Rogue said.

"What? Everyone exaggerate," Gambit said.

"I never exaggerate," Shine said. "I don't feel the need. Real life is exciting enough." She got up. "I think I'll take a walk now. Too much talking."

"I'll come." Wally got up.

They went off.

"I think you offended her," Storm said to Gambit. "We asked her to tell us. There was no call for that."

"You can't really believe all dat happen," Gambit said.

"I'd believe anything," Storm said. "We've seen just as strange things ourselves...or do you think just because we were not there it makes it too unlikely?"

Gambit shuffled a few cards. "Gambit jus' think y'all believe people too easy."

"I'd have a harder time believin' she made all that up," Logan said. "Makes we wonder just what they do. There's still a lot they haven't said. I mean, is hangin' out with a bunch of annoyin' kids really the extent of that?"

"Did you miss the part where they fought bad guys?" Morph said.

"Yeah, but they cared more about the kids than they did about that," Logan said.

"How do you manage to both get the point and entirely miss it at the same time?" Storm was amused. "Perhaps that it the secret. They simply don't care so much about other things. They care about people. That is what I got out of the story. They'll talk about us in just the same way after they leave here."

"Wonder what dey tell people about us," Gambit muttered.

Mystique poked at the fire silently. She'd been quiet through the whole story, in fact, and the rest of the day.

Rogue looked up. "Well...I think I'll look around too.... It is a pretty nice evenin'..." She flew up and over the trees.

Gambit left also.

"I guess I could try to set up tents..." Storm said. "I hope they were good quality for the rent..."

"We'll see." Logan was only too glad to have something to  actually do.

This left just Mystique and Morph with nothing to do, and the silence was awkward.

Mystique figured Morph would make some excuse to leave, and she could finally have time to herself...before remembering no one was going to leave her alone.

She frowned at the fire.

The silence became unbearably awkward.

Morph was trying to tell himself to just get up the nerve to bring it up...but it wasn't so easy.

Mystique wondered absently if she could sneak away.... No...that would never work.... She wouldn't get far in the middle of nowhere. They'd find her way before she got away.... And could she get away from portalling?

It was suffocating to think about...

She was starting to just try not to think about it at all.

"So...ahem." Morph cleared his throat, making her almost jump out of her skin.

She looked up warily like, "What do you want?"

"I guess...maybe...I should say something," Morph said uncertainly.

Mystique really had absolutely no clue what to expect. Another insult? A warning? Some question about Sinister?

Of course, what he actually said was even more astonishing.

"About all the digs...I probably shouldn't have said all those things," Morph said, wishing heartily this was already over. "It's...kind of not fair, all things considered...so...yeah..."

Mystique stared at him like he'd grown wings.... He didn't think he had.

After another long silence, she said, "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No," Morph said.

"A trick?"

"No...why would it be a trick?" Defensively.

"It's ridiculous, that's why." Mystique was mad now. "All those things? All those things were true. What is the meaning of this? I see what it is--you're trying to manipulate me into saying something. Well, I won't."

"What on earth would I get you to say?" Morph wished he knew, because it sounded like a good trick. "I was just trying to apologize is all."

"And why would you apologize to me?" Scornfully.

"Because it wasn't right." Morph lost his cool and finally had the nerve to say it because of that. "I mean, because it was hypocritical... There, I said it. Ha, that wasn't so bad." He laughed nervously. "Kind of felt good, actually."

Mystique just shook her head. She muttered something about this team being a circus before saying aloud, "I don't understand."

Morph didn't know how to explain it except to say, "Well, I was talking to Likstar--"

Mystique suddenly understood. "Ah...and she put you up to something."

"No...not really." Morph shook his head. "She just said some stuff that was...true. I got to thinking...maybe I shouldn't judge? I mean, Sinister used me...so...and I know what that's like. Maybe I'm not in a position to look down on other people. Truth was, I was just doing it to make myself feel better, but I should be above that."

Silence.

"It's a pride thing," Mystique said coldly. "The X-men can't be that petty, is that it?"

"No...I guess we can be." Morph remembered Shine's other words also. "But we shouldn't be."

Mystique was unable to come up with snide retort to that... What could she say?

She decided Morph had just been easily influenced by Shine's high words and that was all this was. And it'd be forgotten by tomorrow, if she left it alone.

And since the only way she knew to leave things alone was to pretend they didn't happen, she didn't say another word.

Morph was too awkward to say another word, and until the others came back, that was how it went.

"Did she give ya any trouble?" Logan joked, in poor taste, they thought.

"Uh...no..." Morph said.

Mystique got up and marched towards the tents and shut the door of one.

"She seems tense," Storm noted. "I suppose she didn't want to be here."

"And why should we care?" Logan said. "She's lucky she got to go out at all. Scott lets Likstar take her dog on a walk just to get her out of his proximity. Why should we be happy about it?"

"Logan!" Shine came back into view in time to hear that. "That is not kind!"

Her tone made Logan wince.

"Well...it's true," he said.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself." Shine was scathing. "I thought better of you. And what are you but someone's trained dog if we break it down to the past, hmm? What matters is the future."

"Likstar, you're wastin' yer time on 'er," Logan said. "You think you can help everyone, like those kids you were talkin' about, even the crazy ones...but they were still kids. Impressionable. Not everyone is like that. Some people are set in their ways."

"I think the 100-year old, new convert shouldn't be talking," Shine snapped.

Wally winced, but in an impressed sort of way.

"And if she's a dog, I'm a worm," Shine said, "as the Psalmist said. So that is worse. I'd thank you to keep your disagreeable thoughts to yourself while my guest is around to hear you. Open that doorway, it might swing both ways." She frowned. "I hope that's clear."

Silence.

Shine went to a tent, and Wally shrugged and followed. "Good night," he called over his shoulder.

More silence.

Then Storm shrugged. "A word of advice, Logan. Never make that woman mad at you."

Gambit heard that in time to laugh.

"What did we miss?" Rogue alighted on the ground.

"Nothing much," Storm said. "Just a mild disagreement. We should rest."

She walked away also.

"No campfire songs?" Gambit joked.

"I know one about of 99 bottles of milk," Morph said.

"Gambit think it too late," Gambit said hastily.

* * *

The next day most of them were sore, except Logan, who's quick-healing factor kept him limber.

Storm seemed all right also--at least, she never complained.

Even so, Shine started the day singing cheerfully, like, "Everything that has breath praise the Lord!"

https://youtu.be/n7lvyd1JdQU

And "I could sing of your love forever".

https://youtu.be/TSf_Op12n8I

[Both really good songs, IMO. Even apart from the faith, they're real catchy.]

Wally and her agreed to call a truce on what to do and put the option up to the X-men.

Morph still had his bid for a zoo. But that sounded like torture to Gambit--and Logan, who declared that cages made him uneasy.

"So shall we split again?" Shine said.

"Whatever," Logan said.

"How about we go off in teams of two?" Gambit said. "Dat way everyone can do what dey want."

And, of course, he had a specific person in mind.

But it didn't seem like such a bad idea, except that no one would be wanting to watch Mystique.

Shine and Wally had a whispered conference about it, but then Storm said she'd keep an eye on her if they wanted to go off alone.

"You don't want to go with your teammates?" Shine said.

"I did yesterday," Storm said. "And I can tomorrow, if we're extending this. Shouldn't you get a chance not to worry about it?"

"You're an angel," Wally said.

"If you're sure," Shine said. "I guess Logan and Morph could get a chance to hang. They're buddies, right?"

Storm shrugged. "I think that might be wise."

"Wait, did you have a fight with Wolf Man?" Wally asked.

"Oh, no," Storm said. "But on second thought, I'm not sure I should have said something I did, and perhaps a little time to cool off would benefit both of us. So this split up seems Providential."

"Nice word," Shine said. "Well, I guess that settles it."

They walked back to the others.

"Problem solved," Shine said, "as long as Rogue has no complaints."

Rogue said she didn't care if everyone split off the way they had; she could go with anyone.

Gambit perhaps wanted to hear a more enthusiastic answer, but he took it.

"Behave yerself," Logan said to him.

"Shut up," Gambit said.

Logan was glad enough to get some space from all of the girls, in fact--except Rogue, who he had no current problem with. Though Storm had not revisited the subject, and Shine had said nothing further to him either, he felt like both of them were still mad about his ill-timed jab. Mystique never acted like she'd heard it, but that didn't mean she hadn't. Getting stuck guarding her, he might have ended up getting shoved off a cliff or something like that.

"You jus' keep your eye on her," Gambit warned Storm. "She's slippery."

"I think I can handle one shapeshifter," Storm said. "I will avoid crowds."

"Storm's too nice," Rogue commented as they split off. "Mystique is a handful for anyone."

"Where can she go?" Gambit pointed out. "Dey jus' call her back with dem light doorways."

"Portals," Rogue corrected.

"Whatever you call it." Gambit didn't care.

They all drove to the nearest city in order to pick their activities. Storm wisely said she'd just explore the park more.

Everyone else opted for more civilized activities.

Since Logan didn't care for the zoo, Morph compromised, and they hit a few clubs as well as a bowling alley.

Morph couldn't help but notice Logan seemed even more sullen than usual; even his impressions weren't making him laugh.

"Logan, are you down for some reason?" he finally asked. Kind of awkward to just ask that, but Wolverine was not a real subtle guy. No beating around the bush with him.

"Eh, well." Logan shrugged. "Just thinkin' about the girls."

"Which one?" Morph said slyly.

"No, all of 'em," Logan said. "I think they think I'm bein' unfair. Which I think ain't right. But it's makin' it weird."

"Ah...you're talking about what you said, huh?" Morph said. "It was a little...mean, wasn't it? I mean, I can't talk. I've been doing the same thing, but Likstar and West just about crushed me the other day over it. I've kind of been rethinking it since."

"You? What did you ever do?" Logan said.

"I was pretty rude," Morph said, "about that blue woman."

"After all she's done to us--and them," Logan said, "they want us to make nice with her like she's one of the group."

"I don't think that's actually what they want," Morph said. "Just to be...fair...I think they think we've all made our fair share of mistakes, and we don't hold them against each other.... I mean, you of all people, Logan, ought to understand."

"Why me?" Logan said. "Because I've made the most mistakes?"

"No," Morph said. "You're the one who came looking for me when I ran off.... I didn't let you help me then." His face fell a little. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be. If ya weren't ready, then ya weren't ready," Logan said.

"Yeah, but...you know, Logan, just you saying that makes me think maybe that's what Shine is thinking about Mystique," Morph said soberly. "Maybe, to us, she seems pretty despicable, and she is. But maybe to some people, ones like Shine, she's just...not ready. And us picking on her isn't helping. I think Shine doesn't judge people. That's a really rare person, and she seemed to like you too. But...I guess...well, she pointed out to me that they forgave me for what I did to them, no questions asked. I was stunned, but they forgave Mystique too. At the same time. And they forgave her again for the other day. I didn't get it. But Shine said I had worked for Sinister just as many times as that lady has...and maybe she's working for other bad guys too, but the point is, I was real quick to want to make myself feel better by putting her down, but how am I that much better?"

"Of course you're better. Don't be stupid," Logan said.

"The thing is, Logan," Morph said, "I have a dark side." He frowned. "I...think maybe you all think that was just Sinister. But...I really did feel angry. I really did resent being left behind. He made it worse, but...a lot of what I did on Muir Island was working through why I felt that way. Still, when I saw the Sentinels, it all came back.... When the others found me, I was scared that time too. And Creed could still get me to do as he wished. I'm not that clever."

"Morph, it's not the same," Logan said.

"Logan, you're my friend," Morph said. "Of course you don't think it's the same. But it's.... You know, what Shine said--she said Mystique is her guest.... She's trying to say she's her friend."

"That's a one-sided friendship," Logan said.

"Not totally maybe," Morph said. "Didn't you notice that one time Mystique defended them? She never blamed them for Sinister either. It's not much...but she also helped them get Rogue.... I'm not saying she's a nice person or anything, I'm saying that maybe there is a reason Shine thinks she's worth her time. And...if you're gonna attack her, well...it's sort of like how you'd feel if someone attacked one of us. That's what I think."

Logan didn't like this, but he couldn't deny it made sense.

"But why would Likstar want to be friends with someone like that?" Logan said.

"Well, she's befriended me," Morph said, "and I literally lost control.... Maybe I could again, I don't know. That trigger is still in there, somewhere." He shrugged. "But she told me that everyone is like that, her too. And that I'm lucky. Can you believe that? Lucky because I know what my problem is, and a lot of people don't. And that people like that change the fastest. It was crazy--for a second she made me almost think I had it better for it turning out this way. And she reminded me that you tracked me down. I had someone...and no one would go after Mystique if she was missing. Made me realize how lucky I am, compared to some people. Shine wants to befriend that lady because no one else has. I can't say I'd do it if I were her, not if it was just up to me, but I do think she's got her heart in the right place, if you know what I mean."

Logan saw that Morph was trying to tell him he needed to back off, as politely as possible.

If Morph of all people was saying it, Logan figured he'd probably gone too far. Morph was the most easy-going person in the X-men.

"Yeah, maybe," he replied.

Enough seemed to be said.

[Men are so uncomplicated, right?

I actually don't buy that stereotype, but in their case, I think it applies.]

* * *

"I never thanked you," Storm said to Mystique, after they'd been not talking for an hour at least, "for helping to get Rogue back."

Mystique cast her a hostile look. "I didn't do it for your benefit."

"I know, but, for Rogue's sake, I am still thankful," Storm said. "I am sorry if we seem ungrateful."

Mystique clenched her fists in a nervous manner. "I don't care about that. I just want to be free."

"I can sympathize with that," Storm said. "I have been held captive many times.... But you know, Shine and Wally are trying their best to make this as easy as it can be. However you feel about the X-men, know they are genuinely concerned. It is not often anyone cares so much."

"I don't need to be preached to about how I should be glad that my jailers are not sadistic tools," Mystique said. "I can handle anyone. It makes no difference to me. Nice, not nice, they're all the same in the end."

"I can't see how you could truly believe that," Storm said. "No two people are quite the same."

"And what are you?" Mystique said. "I know about you, Storm." She made an unpleasant smile. "Gutter trash, aren't you? You act high and mighty, but you've had a past, like most of the X-men. Now you all try to be heroes. Far as I can see, it doesn't get you far. It's almost maddeningly simple to throw the lot of you off balance. One little thing will do. Sinister could exploit that. So could Creed. You're not such heroes to people who you can't fit into your little box, are you? Like those two fools. And you don't always act so innocent." She seemed to be sneering at her. "So don't talk to me about gratitude and how kind people are."

Storm listened to this with her typical way of not getting offended that drove people crazy.

"Perhaps you are right," she said humbly but not ashamed. "Perhaps we have work to do on our treatment of others who puzzle us. I have thought so. But I ask, do you expect to change our minds by acting this way?"

Mystique's eyes widened a bit at her calm manner, and then in anger. "Why would I want to change your minds? All I wanted was to destroy you, especially Xavier.... Now that that's impossible, I would prefer to be left alone."

"I'm sure you will get that, if you truly prefer it," Storm said, "but in light of your circumstances, most people might think it was wise to attempt to make peace. I had thought you were supposed to be crafty. I just do not understand what this childish behavior is accomplishing for you." She tilted her head. "But it's your discretion. I only asked out of curiosity. And a word of caution, that you should not push the buttons of some of the members of the team. It's not healthy."

"Like you?" Mystique said.

"I have no wish to harm you," Storm said. "I am not the revenge type. I am warning you for your own sake not to provoke them. The arrangement is not ideal, but it behooves us to make the best of it. Take it as a disinterested piece of advice." She gestured nonchalantly. "Ignore it at your own risk."

"So high and mighty," Mystique scoffed, since she had no other response. "How droll, considering."

"I suppose I have been as you say," Storm said. "But I have put that life behind me...something, I think, you might appreciate the wish to do."

Storm was so savage, it was always impossible to tell whether it was on purpose, and Mystique couldn't tell any more than anyone else could. So she didn't respond.

[Storm is queen, no one can argue.

She has to be in my top 3 favorite characters, even in the movies, but I just think she was under-used in those. It was great how much screen time the show gave her.]